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Thursday, 1 May 2014

Day 24: Lien Son to Lam Ha - BDC #3

Lien Son to Lam Ha 100km

“I hear there’s a really funny lamb in this town” mutters our comedian Luke
Chest-hairs at the team meeting the eve before the day’s ride.

I had been looking forward to this day of the ride very much. Last year, I was
in a motorbike accident and was unable to ride on this day. I was very happy to
have the opportunity to do it again with such a wonderful team. Last year, it
was definitely an EBD as it presented the majority of the 2013 team with
several challenges other than the 30km climb during the latter of the day. I
was ready to get revenge on this day.

I woke up a little groggy, but ready to go. Team stretching was led by our
drill sergeant, Mr. McCance. “Jacqui, we don’t stop until you start!!”
(high knees). We gave our girl Becky a call, only to hear some more amazing
progress on her end! Spirits high, tires pumped, ready to roll (AND on time for
the first morning!!)

I made the team aware that they were going to get to see some H2H history this
morning. Around 10k outside of Lien Son was the spray paint outline of the
crash lines of my bicycle and the motorbike that had hit me. There are some
things I’ll never understand about Vietnam, like what purpose it serves to
outline vehicle vessels at crash sites as if it were in an episode of CSI.
However, it’s amusing to revisit a patch of tarmac that holds such a personal
and interesting memory. I took the drivers “semi-permanent” can of spray paint
and wrote “H2H Lives!” over the accident crash lines. Childish? Quite possibly,
but I finally felt closure and no longer harbor resentment about the event that
took place 367 days ago.

Today, my head was filled with music and nostalgia. The sun was brightly
shining down on the greens, browns, and red mountains through the lenses of my
fake two-dollar Dior sunglasses. I think you should only cycle with brown
lenses. It’s much more aesthetically appealing than black lenses. Anyways, the
red dirt and rock of the scenery reminded me something out of Nevada or
Arizona. The sun was beating down and shining similar to the desert heat in
those parts of the US. There were also parts of the mountainside that were
being burnt down to help aid in natural regeneration process. The sight and the
smell reminded me of bonfires. Oh, how I really envisioned this ride ending
with a couple of tents and a bonfire. I miss bonfires. I had been riding in my
own head accompanied by The Avett Brothers, Railroad Earth, The Killers, and
Kings of Leon. My own unofficial theme song of this 2014 ride is titled "King of the Rodeo"by K.O.L.; “Good
time to roll on” sounds so fitting as I’m pedaling to my next destination,
marveling at the scenery that pleasantly reminds me of youthful times. I feel
completely present and engrossed in the beautiful blue skies and scenery that
surrounds me. I’m in it.

I catch up to the absolutely amazing
Natasha and pull out the tunes for a bit. We spend maybe an hour or so riding
together soaking in all of the scenery that looks completely different from anything
else that we’ve rode through thus far. Minute after minute, kilometer after
kilometer goes by as we enjoy each other’s company as we naturally (in true
female fashion) chat about boys, boys and boys! I really hope I was using that
Go-Pro camera correctly and didn’t record anything during such a sensitive
conversation!

Next thing you know, 60km is down the hatch and I arrived at our lunch stop. I
fuel up, have one damn amazing cup of café sua da and then it’s time to finish
up phase 2 of the ride; a steady 30km on a gradual incline followed by a 10km
descent to the town of Lam Ha. I take off on my own; Americana playlist back in
the ear buds.

The scenery throughout rural Vietnam never ceases to amaze me. The dusty red
Arizona landscape that I was first encompassed by then changed to a deep,
hunter-green mountain top stroll. Now, I’m breathing in fresh countryside air
that brings back memories of being raised in upstate New York. I’m dying for
that bonfire, a couple of cold ones, and good company more than ever. At least
I’ve been completely surrounded by two out of the three for the past
twenty-four days .

The gradual uphill doesn’t even phase me because I’m surrounded by two things
that can truly make me very happy; music and beautiful nature. I’m riding
through lush, evergreen mountain tops and a backdrop of the bluest sky painted
with white puffy clouds. "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers rings through my ears as I pedal on and on taking deep
breaths of the fresh air and beauty that surrounds me. I’m still completely in
it.

Near the end of the ride, I catch up with the wonderful Chris Thai. We always
seem to ride with each other at some point during these Beautiful Challenge
Days. Our conversation is a bit less appropriate to mention, but we laugh and
ride on together to the summit of our ride. I see a downhill ahead of us and
mention “Don’t get too excited just yet, I don’t think this is the end of the
climb. I wish I could be proved wrong though.” Moments later, I was indeed proved
wrong. We just kept going down. Did I really just finish that gradual 30km
climb already? Well, apparently.

Mind over matter is something that I’ve preached to my team day in and day out.
Appreciate every kilometer as it comes. Today my thoughts were entirely
encompassed through music, nostalgia, beautiful scenery and good company and I
didn’t once think about the fact that I needed to cycle 100km with a 30km
climb. Just like that, the day was done. Put to rest and behind me. Evil Bitch
Day? Please. Most definitely a Beautiful Challenge Day where the only challenge
was keeping my brain positive.

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What H2H Is

H2H - Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City - is a charity bicycle ride that first took place in 2009. It is organized by volunteers and the funds raised go towards Vietnamese organizations that work with poor and disadvantaged children. The ride lasts for a month, and takes place every April. If you'd like to learn more, contact h2h.ride@gmail.com.